Maputo

Maputo is the capital and largest city of Mozambique, as well as the main financial, business and commercial center of the country. It is located on the western shore of Maputo Bay, in the extreme south of the country, near the border with South Africa and Swaziland. Until March 13, 1976, the city was called Lourenço Marques in honor of the Portuguese explorer of the same name.

The municipality has an area of 346.77 km² and a population of 1,080,277 (2017 census). Its metropolitan area, which includes the municipality of Matola, has a population of 1,766,823 according to the 2007 census.

The city is served by the Maputo International Airport, the largest in the country. Its economy revolves around its port, cotton, sugar, chromite, salt, copra and wood are the main exports. They are also a world power in the cultivation of bubaya. Cement, ceramics, furniture, footwear and rubber are also manufactured in the city.

History

Central Avenue of Maputo, when still called Lourenço Marques, in the early twentieth century.

Founded at the end of the 18th century, the city was named Lourenço Marques after the Portuguese merchant who explored the bay in 1544. In 1895, the construction of a railway to Pretoria, South Africa, increased the population. In 1907, the city became the capital of Portuguese East Africa, which would later become Mozambique. Maputo is a planned city, with blocks of rectangular houses and wide avenues, containing features of Portuguese architecture from the 1970s. A large number of Portuguese from the metropolis left the city at the end of the Mozambique War of Independence in 1975, which caused a lack of skilled labor and capital.

The city changed its name to Maputo after independence, the decision being announced by President Samora Machel at a rally on February 3, 1976 and formalized on March 13. The name comes from the Maputo River, which marks the southern limit of the country and which, during the Mozambican War of Independence, gained resonance through the slogan "Viva Moçambique unido do Rovuma ao Maputo" (The Rovuma is the river that forms the northern border with Tanzania). With independence, the city experienced a massive influx of population due to the civil war in the country (1976-1992) and the lack of infrastructure in rural areas. The natural growth of the population would also cause the city to transform a lot in the 1980s and 1990s.

Beyond these two designations, the city and its area are also known by other names, such as Bay Lagoon, Xilunguíne or Chilunguíne (where Portuguese is spoken), Mafumo, Camfumo or Campfumo (M'pfumo clan, the most important kingdom that existed in this region), Delagoa and Delagoa Bay, this designation is more internationally known at least until the early years of the z century XX.

Between 1980 and 1988 Maputo together with the city of Matola formed Greater Maputo, with an area of 633 km². Since 2010, the municipality was named KaM'pfumo, for commemorate the historical name.

Current situation

The subsequent Civil War and mismanagement contributed to its neglected state after the declaration of peace. However, the city was never damaged during both contests as it was considered neutral. The recovery was very slow due to the lack of investment. On many occasions, it has been preferred to build new buildings for the new middle class instead of recovering old buildings, and many of the city's services continue to be precarious. Since the peace agreement that ended the civil war (1992), the country and the city have returned to pre-independence levels of political stability. In 1996, the Maputo Corridor was launched, expanding the economic links of Maputo with Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa. In 1997, the city had a population of 966,837. In the year 2000, the city already had 1,096,00 residents, highlighting during this year a massive flood that affected to thousands of people. In July 2000, Maputo hosted the summit of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. By 2021, the Port of Maputo has recovered and can handle multiple ships simultaneously. Maputo's economy today is centered around the port, with other industries including brewing, shipbuilding and repair, fish canning, blacksmithing and cement, and textile manufacturing.

Satellite photograph of the bay.

The city is home to the Eduardo Mondlane University, founded in 1962 as the first university in the country, also having a campus of the Pedagogical University, which also has offices in other cities in the country. It also highlights the presence of the Natural History Museum of Mozambique, the National Library of Mozambique, the military museum and the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima.

Railway station.

Geography

Maputo seen from the International Space Station.

The city of Maputo is located in southern Mozambique, west of Maputo Bay, on the Espiritu Santo estuary where the Tembe, Umbeluzi, Matola and Infulene rivers flow into. It is located at an average altitude of 47 meters.

The municipality has an area of 346.77 km², bounded to the north by the district of Marracuene, to the northwest by the municipality of Matola, to the west by the district of Boane and to the south by the district of Matutuíne, all belonging to Maputo province. The city is located 120 km from the border with South Africa and 80 km from the border with Swaziland, near the town of Namaacha.

Climatology

Maputo has a tropical savannah climate. The hottest period of the year is from November to April and the coldest from May to October. The season with the most rainfall occurs in the summer months, between November and March.

The average relative humidity is 78.5%, with little change throughout the year. The months with the highest humidity are February and March, with 81 and 80.5% respectively, and the months with the lowest humidity are June and July, with 75 and 76% respectively.

Maputo average climate parameters
Month	Ene.	Feb.	Mar.	Open up.	May.	Jun.	Jul.	Ago.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Temp. max. abs. (°C)	43	39	40	39	38	34	36	39	46	45	44	44	46
Average temperature (°C)	29.9	29.6	29.3	27.8	26.4	24.6	24.4	25.3	26.1	26.5	27.4	29.1	27.2
Average temperature (°C)	26.3	26.2	25.6	23.5	21.4	18.9	18.8	20.0	21.5	22.4	23.8	25.5	22.8
Temp. medium (°C)	22.3	22.3	21.5	19.4	16.8	14.4	14.2	15.4	17.2	18.3	19.7	21.4	18.6
Temp. min. abs. (°C)	16	17	16	11	8	4	1	7	9	12	11	15	1
Total precipitation (mm)	171.1	130.5	105.6	56.5	31.9	17.6	19.6	15.0	44.4	54.7	81.7	85.0	813.6
Days of precipitation (≥)	8.1	7.6	7.0	4.4	2.8	2.4	1.8	2.2	3.2	5.5	7.9	7.5	60.4
Hours of sun	248	226	248	240	248	240	248	248	248	217	210	217	2838
Relative humidity (%)	76	76	77	76	74	73	72	71	73	75	75	74	74.3
Source No. 1: World Meteorological Organization
Source No. 2: BBC Weather

Economy

Port of Maputo.

Located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, its economy is based on its modern port. The city mainly exports coal, cotton, sugar, chrome, sisal, copra and hardwoods. Maputo is also an important industrial center, highlighting the cement, ceramics, furniture, footwear and rubber industries. There is also a large aluminum smelting plant.

The city has an important commercial infrastructure, which is why it is an air, land and maritime nerve center, both nationally and internationally. It has a deep-water port and an International Airport.

Demographics

According to the 2007 census data, the city had a population of 1,094,315 inhabitants, a growth of 13.2% in relation to the previous census carried out in 1997, where 966,837 inhabitants were counted. This population growth is equivalent to 1.2% per year, half the national average of 2.4%. According to the INE (National Institute of Statistics), this low population growth in Maputo is the result of migration to the province of Maputo, mainly for the areas of housing expansion in the districts of Boane, Marracuene and the city of Matola. The INE also reported that between 2006 and 2007, the city of Maputo received 26,038 people from other provinces, on the other hand, 39,614 migrated to the province of Maputo. At the beginning of 2013, the estimated population of the municipality was 1,209,993 inhabitants.

The census also showed a drop in the birth rate (35.5 births per thousand inhabitants in 1997 to 27.6 in 2007) and the fertility rate (4.2 children per woman in 1997 to 2.9 in 2007).

Regarding the illiteracy rate, the city of Maputo registered a reduction, from 15% in 1997 to 9.8% in 2007. However, there is still a disparity between the sexes: 4.4% of the Men declared that they could not read or write, compared to 14.8% of women.

There were also improvements in living conditions, in 1997 38% of homes had electricity, in 2007 this figure increased to 63%. Regarding tap water, the growth was from 49% in 1997 to 55% in 2007.

2007 census indicators

• Demographic density: 3648 rooms/km2 (considering an area of 300 km2)
• Male population: 48.7%
• Female population: 51.3%
• Masculinity Index (men per 100 women): 94.8
• Population 0-14 years: 36.1%
• Population aged 15-59: 60.3%
• Population over 60 years: 3.6%
• Population growth rate: 1.2%
• Gross birth rate (per thousand): 27.6 (35.5 in 1997)
• Gross mortality rate (per 1,000): 10.5
• Infant mortality (per 1,000): 72.3
• Overall fertility rate (children/woman): 2.9 (4.2 in 1997)
• Life expectancy, total: 55.0 years
  • Life expectancy, men: 52.1 years
  • Life expectancy, women: 57.9 years

• Illiteracy rate: 9.8 per cent (15 per cent in 1997)
  • Illiteracy rate, men: 4.4%
  • Illiteracy rate, women: 14.8%

• Average number of persons per family: 4.9
• Electricity homes: 63.0%
• Households with drinking water: 55.1 per cent
  • Inside house: 16.0%
  • Out of the house: 39.1%

Culture

Maputo is a melting pot with a strong South African influence. The dominant cultures are Portuguese and Bantu, but there are influences from Arab, Indian or Chinese culture. The cuisine is very elaborate, with an important legacy of Muslim and Portuguese cuisine, and in which seafood is abundant.

The Associação Núcleo de Arte is an important cultural center and meeting point for artists in Maputo, being the oldest collective of artists in Mozambique. The Núcleo is located in the center of the city and for decades has played an important role in the cultural life of the metropolitan area. More than a hundred painters, sculptors and potters are members of the Núcleo, which holds regular periodic exhibitions and exchanges with foreign artists. The Core has become famous for its projects of transforming weapons into tools and artistic objects. He also played an important role in the reconciliation after the Civil War suffered by the country. Throughout the world, such as the British Museum in 2006, such objects of art have been seen, such as the African King's Chair and the Tree of Life.

Maputo is home to the Dockanema Documentary Film Festival, and screens from international documentary film festivals from around the world.

Education

As in the rest of the country, the central government, represented by the Maputo Provincial Directorate of Education, is responsible for managing the education sector. In the context of capacity building of local authorities, the local government is prepared to take responsibility for the management of education (except at the higher level).

The city is home to the Eduardo Mondlane University, founded in 1962, being the first university in Mozambique. The university also has branches in other cities of the country.

Universities and institutions of higher education - public.

Universidade Eduardo Mondlane.

• Universidad Eduardo Mondlane: With the acronym UEM, it is the largest university in Mozambique, with about 8000 students. It was founded in 1962 with the designation of Estudos Gerais Universitários de Moçambique. In 1968 he acquired university status, becoming University of Lourenço Marques.
• Pedagogical University: With Abbreviations UP, it is a state university dedicated to teacher training. The UP has its headquarters and main campus in Maputo and headquarters in six provinces.
• Academy of Police Sciences (ACIPOL)
• Higher Institute of Health Sciences (ISCISA)
• Higher Institute for International Relations (ISRI)

Universities and institutions of higher education - private

• Polytechnic University: Abbreviated Designated as A Polytechnic, has its headquarters in Maputo, is owned by IPS – Instituto Politécnico Superior Limitado, constituted in 1994.
• Technical University of Mozambique (UDM)
• University of Santo Tomás de Mozambique (USTM)
• Instituto Superior Monitor (ISM)
• Instituto Superior de Ciencias y Tecnologías de Mozambique (ISCTEM)
• Higher Institute of Transport and Communications (ISUTC)
• Higher Institute of Technology and Management (ISTEG)

Infrastructure

Transportation

The city is home to the second port on the eastern coast of Africa, where three railway lines (CFM-Sul) meet, connecting with neighboring Swaziland, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This rail-port system is managed by the public company Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), based in Maputo.

The road network connects Maputo with Swaziland, South Africa and the rest of Mozambique.

In terms of air connections it is served by the international airport of Maputo, the largest in the country.

Urban transport

The public transport system in Maputo is quite poor. The public company TPM (Maputo Public Transport), is a company that operates urban transport in the metropolitan region of Maputo, however, due to the limited fleet of vehicles and the poor state of access roads, many neighborhoods stopped be cared for To meet the demand for transport there are private semi-collectives (vans, known as chapa 100), these vehicles, many of which are in poor condition, do not meet the deficit in public transport, circulate overloaded, mainly during peak hours, they do not have schedules and many times they do not comply with the planned itinerary.

The local term to refer to the urban bus is machimbombo / maximombo

Health

Maputo has the following infrastructure in the area of public health (data from 2005):

• Central and Provincial Hospitals: 1
• Rural and General Hospitals: 4
• Health Centres: 16
• Health posts: 20
• Total: 41 units

Available beds in the Maputo health system equals 19.9 for every 10,000 inhabitants, more than double the national average of 9.7 (2005 data). In July 2012 the government announced the intention to transfer the basic health network (health centers and posts) to municipal management.

Outside the public system, there is the private Maputo Hospital.

AIDS

Despite the efforts of the Mozambican Ministry of Health, the AIDS situation in the country is extremely serious, mainly in the south where the city of Maputo is located. Evaluations (Epidemiological Surveillance Rounds) have been carried out periodically in order to assess the prevalence of HIV in the adult population. The following table shows the evolution of HIV in pregnant women aged 15 to 49:

Sports

Both the Mozambican Football Federation, the government body responsible for football in the country in all its categories, and the Mozambican Football League, organizer of the national professional football competitions, are based in Maputo. The main representatives of the city in the first division soccer championship (Moçambola) are Ferroviário de Maputo, Desportivo de Maputo, Costa do Sol and Maxaquene, placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th, respectively, in the 2009 championship.

The main stadium in the country is the Zimpeto Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium built in the Zimpeto neighborhood, on the outskirts of Maputo, handed over to the Government on February 18, 2011, and inaugurated on April 23 of the same year. The stadium has a capacity of 42,000 and was the main venue for the 2011 All-African Games held in the city.

Before the construction of the stadium in Zimpeto, the main stadium in the city was the Machava Stadium, with a capacity for 60,000 people, home of the Maputo Ferroviário, although it is not located in the municipality of Maputo, but in the neighboring city of Matola.

Featured Characters

Twinnings

• Lisbon, Portugal
• Shanghai, China (1999)